Filip
Senior Member
Geneva's FLEXITY variant Bombardier trams. A great thing to have in Toronto imo.
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nfitz
Superstar
As summer approaches, the only real question about the new streetcars is "are they air-conditioned"? 
299 bloor call control.
Senior Member
Of course they will be. You can currently experience air conditioning on a retrofitted prototype CLRV, #4041, which can be identified by the "Thermo King" pod fitted on its roof. There are plans to install air conditioning on the 100 rebuilt CLRVs.
H
Hydrogen
Guest
Just so long as they don't run them in "refrigeration mode."
Dilla
Senior Member
That looks like a pretty tight corner this streetcar is taking. It's hard to believe Toronto's would be much worse (in reference to having to customize the "off the shelf" cars to use on our ultra-tight corners).
299 bloor call control.
Senior Member
I believe this version of the Flexity uses multiple, very short, articulated sections in order to make the sharp curves. I wonder if the TTC model will employ the same technique.
299 bloor call control.
Senior Member
Further to that, since Berlin is receiving a unit known as the Flexity Berlin, I wonder if Bombardier will create a model called the Flexity Toronto?
nfitz
Superstar
I thought the CLRV rebuild was cancelled in favour of the new streetcar purchase.
299 bloor call control.
Senior Member
Initially, all 196 CLRVs were to be rebuilt (pending decision on when new streetcars would be procured), but was later scaled back once the decision was made to 100 to allow for some breathing room as the new LRVs are delivered. Not rebuilding them would risk having severe vehicle shortages if a bunch sputter out.
isittimetomoveyet
Active Member
What are the next steps?
Degnaw
New Member
go TRAM power...
^prototype (obviously), probably their proposal
^their only working model, i think
^prototype (obviously), probably their proposal
^their only working model, i think
Automation Gallery
Superstar
It would be nice to see this tram on Toronto streets.
Dan416
Senior Member
It would be nice to see this tram on Toronto streets.
Ooh I like that one.
299 bloor call control.
Senior Member
U.K. firm takes on Bombardier for TTC deal
British vehicle said to be lighter, more efficient
Jul 03, 2008 04:30 AM
Tess Kalinowski
transportation reporter
Even through the static of a trans-Atlantic phone call, there was no mistaking the amazement and delight yesterday of executives at TRAM Power, the relatively small British light rail company that is challenging Bombardier's bid to make the TTC's new streetcars.
TRAM officials in Merseyside, England, spent the day fielding inquiries about why a company that most Canadian transportation insiders had never heard of until this week felt qualified to submit a complex bid on the TTC contract worth about $1.2 billion.
"Just because (Bombardier) is the bigger guy, they shouldn't get it by default. All that we're hoping is if we don't get the contract it's because we've lost it on merit. We do have some compelling arguments why our vehicle is better," said managing director Daniel Biggs.
"It has been designed to be a tram, not a scaled-down train. It's lighter, more efficient. It's completely sustainable and renewable energy. That's how we are trying to package it and take it to the market," he said.
Unlike Bombardier, which already supplies subway cars to the TTC and GO's new diesel locomotives, TRAM Power is still wooing buyers with its prototype light rail cars that have been tested in Blackpool and Birkenhead, England.
But its top executives say they are talking to and potentially bidding on projects in 10 countries. The company may be small but it is credible, said Biggs. With about 100 employees based not far from Leyland – home of the Morris Minor and the Mini – it also has a manufacturing operation for its primary business, recovery vehicles, in China, with plans to set up more facilities in Australia and San Francisco.
A plant in Canada wouldn't be out of the question, he said. That's a key point, since the TTC has required that 25 per cent – or about $300 million – of the streetcar contract be Canadian parts and labour.
The contract is for 204 accessible low-floor cars to replace the TTC's fleet, starting in 2010. There's also a conditional option for 300 more cars to serve the TTC's planned Transit City streetcar lines.
Director Lewis Lesley claims TRAM Power can build Toronto's cars for about $2.6 million each, considerably less than figures cited by the TTC. The cars can accommodate about 220 passengers.
That Bombardier bid on the project – to be awarded this fall – was no surprise. But international streetcar manufacturers Siemens, which has just announced planned job cuts, and Alstom, had expressed interest yet did not submit bids.
It will be at least a month before the TTC can evaluate the bidders' technological specifications.
British vehicle said to be lighter, more efficient
Jul 03, 2008 04:30 AM
Tess Kalinowski
transportation reporter
Even through the static of a trans-Atlantic phone call, there was no mistaking the amazement and delight yesterday of executives at TRAM Power, the relatively small British light rail company that is challenging Bombardier's bid to make the TTC's new streetcars.
TRAM officials in Merseyside, England, spent the day fielding inquiries about why a company that most Canadian transportation insiders had never heard of until this week felt qualified to submit a complex bid on the TTC contract worth about $1.2 billion.
"Just because (Bombardier) is the bigger guy, they shouldn't get it by default. All that we're hoping is if we don't get the contract it's because we've lost it on merit. We do have some compelling arguments why our vehicle is better," said managing director Daniel Biggs.
"It has been designed to be a tram, not a scaled-down train. It's lighter, more efficient. It's completely sustainable and renewable energy. That's how we are trying to package it and take it to the market," he said.
Unlike Bombardier, which already supplies subway cars to the TTC and GO's new diesel locomotives, TRAM Power is still wooing buyers with its prototype light rail cars that have been tested in Blackpool and Birkenhead, England.
But its top executives say they are talking to and potentially bidding on projects in 10 countries. The company may be small but it is credible, said Biggs. With about 100 employees based not far from Leyland – home of the Morris Minor and the Mini – it also has a manufacturing operation for its primary business, recovery vehicles, in China, with plans to set up more facilities in Australia and San Francisco.
A plant in Canada wouldn't be out of the question, he said. That's a key point, since the TTC has required that 25 per cent – or about $300 million – of the streetcar contract be Canadian parts and labour.
The contract is for 204 accessible low-floor cars to replace the TTC's fleet, starting in 2010. There's also a conditional option for 300 more cars to serve the TTC's planned Transit City streetcar lines.
Director Lewis Lesley claims TRAM Power can build Toronto's cars for about $2.6 million each, considerably less than figures cited by the TTC. The cars can accommodate about 220 passengers.
That Bombardier bid on the project – to be awarded this fall – was no surprise. But international streetcar manufacturers Siemens, which has just announced planned job cuts, and Alstom, had expressed interest yet did not submit bids.
It will be at least a month before the TTC can evaluate the bidders' technological specifications.
299 bloor call control.
Senior Member
Wow.. TRAM Power's website is cutting edge.............
http://www.trampower.co.uk/
And we thought the TTC's website was bad.
http://www.trampower.co.uk/
And we thought the TTC's website was bad.